Still using Chrome? Switch to OpenAI browser Atlas and save time

On October 21, OpenAI quietly launched ChatGPT Atlas — a web browser with a chatbot built into every page. Atlas is available on macOS for Free, Plus, Pro, and Go users, and as a beta for Business subscribers. Instead of switching between tabs and chat windows, users can open an Atlas tab and ask questions about whatever they’re viewing. Key features include:

Smarter searching: Atlas delivers results across web links, images, video, and news without leaving the chat.
On-page assistance: The Ask ChatGPT sidebar lets you summarize or analyze content in place.
In-line writing help: Highlight text in a form field (for example, a LinkedIn post) and Atlas will draft or edit it without switching tabs.
Agent mode (preview): Paid users can enable agent mode so ChatGPT can handle multi-step tasks like researching a meal plan, creating a shopping list, and adding ingredients to a cart. The agent operates within strict boundaries — it can’t install extensions, access your file system, or add anything to your browsing history without permission.

Why it matters: Research and content creation are core to every small business. An AI-powered browser that respects privacy and operates within guardrails means you can brainstorm blog ideas, draft emails, or analyze competitor sites faster than ever. Since Atlas is still free for basic users, now is a great time to experiment before it becomes a paid product.

Omada’s “AI Marketing Team” for Under $9 per Day

Seattle startup Omada officially launched its all-in-one marketing platform on October 21, positioning itself as a virtual marketing department for small and mid-sized businesses. Instead of one “copilot,” Omada deploys a set of AI agents — a marketing assistant, social media manager, designer, and video producer — that work together like a human team. According to GeekWire, the platform can plan, create, and optimize digital campaigns automatically for less than $9 per day. Business owners interact through a chat interface, and the agents generate posts, run ads, respond to customers, and report on performance.

Omada’s appeal lies in its “do-it-for-me” approach. Rather than adding another dashboard, it handles the work for you. The agents learn your brand voice and goals over time, allowing solo founders to enjoy the benefits of an experienced marketing team without hiring staff. Backed by HubSpot Ventures and Crosslink Capital, Omada enters a crowded field, but its low daily pricing and multi-agent model could be a game-changer for budget-conscious businesses.

AI Automation for Business Lending: SecureLend Debuts

Fintech startup SecureLend launched a first-of-its-kind AI platform on October 22 to automate business lending and working-capital workflows. The system uses large language models to process documents, analyze financial statements, and generate credit memos — cutting loan-origination time from weeks to hours. SecureLend says its platform makes lending up to ten times faster and 60% more cost-efficient. Early pilots report 90% faster processing and 67% higher conversion rates.

While still in private beta, SecureLend’s goal is clear: give small community banks and alternative lenders the same AI-powered underwriting capabilities as digital-first competitors. It’s also model-agnostic — lenders can choose between GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, or their own models — a crucial advantage in regulated industries. For solopreneurs seeking funding or invoice factoring, this kind of automation could lead to faster approvals and more competitive rates.

Tools You Can Start Using Today

Get More Done with ChatGPT Atlas

Atlas isn’t just a novelty — it’s a practical productivity tool. Here’s how to get started:

Download the browser: Visit chatgpt.com/atlas from your Mac and install Atlas. Import bookmarks and history from your current browser.
Explore the new tab: The combined search/chat page lets you enter a URL or ask a question. Use it to brainstorm blog topics, research competitors, or find suppliers.
Use the sidebar: On any site, click the ChatGPT logo to open the sidebar. Summarize articles, translate text, or draft responses without leaving the page.
Try agent mode: Plus and Pro users can enable agent mode to let ChatGPT complete tasks such as building a shopping list or compiling research. You stay in control by reviewing each action.
Set privacy controls: Adjust memory settings to decide what Atlas can store. You can clear history or browse incognito to ensure your data isn’t used for training.

Atlas is ideal for researching new markets, drafting proposals, or collecting inspiration for social posts. Because it functions like a regular browser, it won’t disrupt your existing workflow.

Train Yourself with Google’s “Make AI Work for You” Course

On October 8, Google announced a $5 million grant to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to develop Small Business B(AI)sics, a national AI training program for 40,000 small businesses. As part of that effort, Google unveiled a free online course — “Make AI Work for You” — teaching entrepreneurs how to use AI for practical business tasks. Participants learn to build sales decks, create ads, and analyze business results through step-by-step lessons.

The course is open to all U.S. small business owners and includes optional live workshops with local chambers of commerce. If you’re unsure where to start with AI, this program offers structured, jargon-free learning. To enroll:

Visit grow.google/business and find the “Make AI Work for You” course.
Register with your business email. The course is self-paced and you can revisit modules anytime.
Apply lessons right away — for example, use Gemini to draft a newsletter or NotebookLM to outline a training manual, as seen in Google’s case study of Chicago’s Heritage Bikes & Coffee.

Even if you don’t use Google Workspace, the skills you’ll learn apply broadly and can help you experiment with AI confidently.

Boost Productivity with Microsoft’s Copilot Updates

Microsoft rolled out major AI upgrades to Windows 11 on October 16, making its Copilot assistant more capable across devices. Small business owners who rely on Windows PCs should explore these new features:

“Hey Copilot” activation: A new wake word lets you launch Copilot hands-free. Use it to open files, schedule meetings, or draft emails without touching your keyboard.
Expanded Copilot Vision: Copilot can now analyze on-screen content and answer questions about it — useful for explaining invoices or summarizing contracts.
Copilot Actions mode: This experimental feature enables Copilot to perform real-world tasks like booking restaurants or ordering supplies, while asking for confirmation before each action.

To access these features, make sure your Windows 11 PC is up to date and opt into the Copilot preview in system settings. Because Copilot is built into the OS, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps you already use.

Create Eye-Catching Videos with Pollo AI’s New Editor

Content creation is often a bottleneck for solo founders. On October 20, Singapore-based platform Pollo AI launched a prompt-based video editor that transforms clips using simple text commands. Part of its all-in-one image and video suite, the editor includes features such as:

Modify subject appearance: Change outfits or age a subject up or down.
Alter weather and atmosphere: Shift a scene from sunny to rainy or adjust color tones.
Add cinematic effects: Generate rain, sparks, or stylized filters like anime or cyber-punk with text prompts.
Erase or replace objects: Remove watermarks or swap backgrounds while preserving the subject.
Change camera angles: Automatically create orbiting or aerial shots.

Pollo AI’s Chief Product Officer Emma Chen says editing is becoming about “describing your vision and letting AI make it happen.” For solopreneurs producing social or product videos, the platform drastically reduces the time and skill required. Sign up at pollo.ai for a free trial, then upgrade for longer clips and higher-resolution exports.

How These Updates Impact Your Business Strategy

The common thread across these announcements is accessibility. Tools once reserved for large enterprises — AI agents, autonomous underwriting, multimodal browsing — are now available to micro-businesses. Here’s what that means for you:

Reduced overhead: Platforms like Omada provide marketing expertise for less than a freelancer’s rate, while SecureLend offers lenders faster approvals and lower costs. Leveraging these solutions helps you compete with larger companies without expanding headcount.
Faster decision-making: AI agents embedded in browsers and operating systems shorten research and drafting time. ChatGPT Atlas can summarize reports and even add groceries to a cart, while Windows Copilot can schedule meetings or open files by voice.
Democratized creativity: Pollo AI’s text-to-video editor and Atlas’s in-line writing assistant make professional-quality content possible with minimal training — opening new marketing channels for time-pressed founders.
Rising need for AI literacy: Google’s investment in training highlights that access alone isn’t enough; entrepreneurs must learn to use AI responsibly and effectively. Courses like “Make AI Work for You” provide that foundation, while agent modes remind us to maintain oversight.

A real-world example: Chicago’s Heritage Bikes & Coffee uses AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to calculate kitchen costs and streamline onboarding. If a local coffee shop can adopt AI to save time and money, imagine what it could do for your consultancy, coaching practice, or e-commerce side hustle.

Your AI Action Plan

Ready to turn these updates into results? Use this checklist to apply the latest AI developments to your business:

This week: Install ChatGPT Atlas and test its sidebar on three sites you visit daily. Try the in-line writing tool to quickly draft a post or email.
By month-end: Enroll in Google’s “Make AI Work for You” course and apply one lesson — for example, use AI to analyze sales or build an onboarding checklist.
Next marketing campaign: Apply for early access to Omada and compare its AI-generated campaigns with your current approach. Evaluate whether the cost (around $9 per day) provides a worthwhile ROI.
When seeking financing: If you use invoice factoring or need a credit line, ask your lender whether they’re piloting SecureLend or a similar AI tool. Faster approvals can strengthen cash flow.
Ongoing: Experiment with AI creative tools like Pollo AI to produce short videos or visuals. Set brand-voice guidelines and monitor results for consistency.

Ready to Embrace AI?

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic buzzword — it’s a practical toolkit reshaping how one-person businesses operate. The launches from OpenAI, Omada, SecureLend, Microsoft, Google, and Pollo AI point toward a future of accessible, agent-driven software that saves time and amplifies creativity. Don’t wait on the sidelines — pick one tool that fits your goals and give it a try. Which AI update are you most excited to implement? Share your experience in the comments and stay tuned to Solo AI Tool for more how-tos and curated recommendations. Together, we’ll turn the AI wave into your competitive advantage.